Tarisio recently announced the sale of the 1714 “da Vinci, ex-Seidel” Stradivari violin at auction for $15.34 million. With a reserve set at $8 million, the auction concluded after a highly competitive bidding process, underscoring the enduring value and rarity of historic instruments by Antonio Stradivari.
Beyond the headline price, what makes this violin remarkable is its history.
The “da Vinci, ex-Seidel” was once owned by Toscha Seidel, a Russian-American virtuoso who purchased the instrument for $25,000 and played it for nearly four decades. During that time, the violin was heard in some of the most iconic musical moments of the 20th century. Its sound appears in the original film score of The Wizard of Oz, numerous CBS Network radio broadcasts, and recordings with major orchestras around the world.
Instruments like this are more than valuable objects. They are living pieces of musical history, shaped by the hands of great makers and brought to life by the musicians who played them. The sale of the “da Vinci, ex-Seidel” is a reminder that craftsmanship, provenance, and story often matter just as much as age or price.
At Bosky Strings, stories like these inspire what we do every day. Whether it’s a priceless Stradivari or a family instrument passed down through generations, the connection between an instrument and the music it creates is what truly gives it value.
